Rockport Texas - The History, Legends & Lore 1st Printing | Page 43

JUNE BUG (sp. Phyllophaga crinita) The June Bug begins its life as a white grub worm that eats away at your plant’s roots and grows into a flying beetle that then eats your plant’s foliage. The only thing they’re good for is fishing bait - especially for catching Bass. LOVE BUG (sp. Plecia nearctica) The Love Bug is a type of March Fly, and as harmless as they may be, they are still dreaded here in Rockport, where they can appear in large swarms. When the insect dies, its body begins to dehydrate, and the remains of the Love Bug become acidic and difficult to remove from the windshields and hoods of RV’s and other vehicles. 42 LEGEND: BIOENGINEERED LOVE BUGS There’s an urban legend going around that this particular species was bioengineered at the University of Florida, but it seems more feasible that they migrated from South America or caught a ride much like the Fire Ants.